Rory McIlroy has been accused of slighting golf icon Jack Nicklaus after seeking his help in bringing home his first Masters victory last month.
McIlroy, 36, announced he would be skipping the PGA’s Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio this weekend, his first absence at the event since 2017.
Nicklaus, 85, who founded and hosts the tournament, said he was “surprised” by McIlroy’s decision.
“I haven’t talked to him for him to tell me why or why not,” Nicklaus told reporters on Tuesday, May 27. “That’s just his call.”
According to ESPN, McIlroy is a member at Nicklaus’ home course, The Bear’s Club, in Jupiter, Florida, and used Nicklaus as a resource ahead of the Masters to ask questions about how to best attack Augusta National Golf Club.
McIlroy won the 2025 Masters on April 13 to become just the sixth player in history to win the career grand slam, which comes when a golfer wins the Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship.
Nicklaus has not spoken to McIlroy since he won the title.
“I don’t hold anything against Rory for that,” Nicklaus acknowledged. “He did what he likes to play. I know he likes to play so many [tournaments] in a row. He likes to play the week before a U.S. Open. So that’s what he’s doing.”
Us Weekly has reached out to McIlroy for comment.
McIlroy will play next week’s RBC Canadian Open in Caledon, Ontario before the 125th U.S. Open begins at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania on June 12.
Nicklaus — who won 18 major championships, the most in history — noted that he often found himself in McIlroy’s shoes throughout the course of his career.
“I made a lot of calls that I had to make when I played, to play or not play,” he said. “Sometimes it wasn’t popular.”
Nicklaus added, “I really don’t have a comment on it. It’s very difficult, very difficult. I’m a big Rory fan, always have been. I am sure that we’ll remain that way.”
McIlroy’s perceived snubbing of Nicklaus did not sit well with some golf fans.
“After Jack Nicklaus giving Rory McIlroy time pre Masters to help guide him on how best to play Augusta National, Rory is not only skipping his event, but also didn’t give him the courtesy of a phone call to let him know…,” the popular golf podcast “Flushing It” wrote via X on Wednesday.
One fan commented, “Rory only cares about Rory. Trying to figure out how anyone is a fan of his.”
“Typical Rory,” another golf fan wrote. “Can’t even pick up the phone and call the man who helped put him over the top at the Masters. And he does nothing to grow the game or give back to the fans.”
